As the Premier League relegation battle edges ever closer to its conclusion, the Potters will play a game of truly huge magnitude this Saturday against a Middlesbrough side one place and two points behind Stoke in the table at the Britannia Stadium. With both clubs currently sitting in the relegation places, Stoke Giovani Bernard Jersey in eighteenth and Boro in nineteenth, this fixture makes most so called six pointers pale into insignificance by comparison. An eighth home win of the campaign for Stoke, which would be a first over the Teesiders for 27 years would almost certainly see as move clear of the relegation zone and take a large step towards survival, while leaving Boro with a mountain to climb to avoid the drop. An away victory however, would give Middlesbrough the edge over Stoke, and make the remaining fixtures, the next four all being against fellow bottom six sides look that bit more difficult for Stoke. In the words of one bitter old manager, its squeaky bum time.These are nervous times for Stoke fans The season for Middlesbrough, under the guidance of the Premier Leagues fifth longest serving manager, Gareth Southgate, who has beaten the odds in this cut-throat world of modern football to still be in a job after the season hes had, with the fact that two and a half years is now enough to be in the top quarter of longest serving managers demonstrative of this, started brightly, with two wins from their first three matches, including a 2-1 succe s over Stoke at the Riverside Stadium at the end of August. Things have gone downhill from there though, with near constant bad form since leaving the club mired in the relegation zone and in danger of dropping out of the Premier League for the first time in eleven years.Boro conceded five at home to Chelsea in a performance that encapsulates their season After naming a unchanged side, rarer than a Salif Diaoshot on target,for last Saturdays disappointing 3-1 defeat at Everton, Stoke manager Tony Pulis may have the luxury again this weekend, with no new major injury worries. Striker Ricardo Fuller and winger Matthew Etherington, both of whombeing said to be fit for the game after shaking off problems in the week, will Joe Burrow Jersey be pushing for starting places however, after having to be content with places in the bench for their first games back after returning from a shoulder injury and suspension respectively. The visitors will be without young defender Matthew Bates who was sent off for two bookable offences in Boros1-1 draw with Portsmouth last week. Midfielder Didier Digard, who a sisted Tuncay Sanlis winning goal in the return fixture will also mi s out, with a partially ruptured quadricep, while Emanuel Pogatetz Justin Hoyte are doubts with knee and groin problems respectively. Gary ONeil and Chris Riggot, who were both reportedly targets for Stokeduring the January transfer window, the latter having spent time on loan at the Potters last season are also both doubtful for the fixture.Former Stoke loanee Chris Riggott may mi s out on a return to the Britannia Stadium with a knee injury In contrast to our excellent home form this season, Middlesbroughs away form has been poor, with just three wins from eighteen on the road all season meaning Stoke on paper should be favourites. Despite this, and their lengthy injury list, Boro will definitely be up for the game, desperate, like Stoke to retain their top flight status. Its at times like these that the form book can be thrown out of the window, so all we can really do is sit back and hop for the best come five oclock on Saturday.Key Battles:Ricardo Fuller v David WheaterI expect Geno Atkins Jersey Fuller to start for Stoke for the first time in six weeks and hell be keen to be on top form as he stakes his claim to a place in Puliss first choice elevenfor the rest of the season. Hell come up against England Under 21 defender David Wheater, who, despite his aerial prowe s is not the best defender with the ball at his feet. If we can move away from our usual long ball game, and utilise the pace and skill of Fuller, we may get some joy here.Andy Wilkinson v Stewart DowningDowning, who mi sed a penalty the last time the two teams met, is without doubt Middlesbroughs biggest threat from the left wing. Another strong showing is required from Wilkinson to keep him quiet on Saturday. Middlesbrough Squad:Goalkeepers: Brad Jones (27), Ro s Turnbull (24), Jason Steele (18)Defenders: Emanuel Pogatetz (26), David Wheater (22), Robert Huth (24), Chris Riggott (28), Justin Hoyte (24), Andrew Taylor (22), Tony McMahon (22), Jonathan Grounds (21), John Johnson (20), Joe Bennett (18)Midfielders:Stewart Downing (24), Gary O Neil (25), Didier Digard (22), Julio Arca (28), Matthew Bates (22), Adam Johnson (21), Mohamed Shawky (27), Josh Walker (20), Seb Hines (20)Forwards: Afonson Alves (28), Tuncay Sanli (27), Marlon King Tyler Eifert Jersey (28), Jeremie Aliadiere (25), Marvin Emnes (20), Nathan Porritt (19), Jonathan Franks (18)Star Man: Stewart Downing24 year old left-winger Downing is undoubtebly Middlesbroughs best player. After a move to a bigger club failed to materialise for him in the summer, he has been one of the bright points of a bad season for Boro, causing opponents trouble with his pace, trickery and excellent delivery. Given this, it is unsurprising that the club turned down a written transfer request from Downing two months ago. Born in Middlesbrough, he has been at the club all his footballing life, aside from Jeff Driskel Jersey a brief loan spell at local rivals Sunderland in 2003, making 173 league appearances and scoring seventeen goals; his goalscoring being the one aspect of his game that shows room for improvement. He has already been capped 21 times by England, but has never scored a fullinternational goal, and seems to have a bright future ahead of him. As someone steadfastly against the level of influence agents now have on the game, its good to know that Downing once had his arrested after complaining about the improper way he dealt with his affairs.Comparative Club Stats: (Superior In Bold) Stoke MiddlesbroughLeague Position:18th 19thGoals Scored: 35 35Goals Conceded:54 50Home Record: (W,D,L)8,5,47,7,4Away Record: (W,D,L)1,4,123,3,12Clean Sheets: 8 7Failed to Score: 1113Form: LWDDLWDLLWWDTop Scorer:Fuller (7)Alves (7)